Pepsi Thermometer Not A Hot Item Rinker On Collectibles

August 09, 1987|by HARRY RINKER, The Morning Call.

Q - I have a 27-inch long Pepsi thermometer in very good shape. I was told it might be worth $200 or more. What is its value? - AD, Schnecksville, PA

A - You probably will find the answer to your question in Bill Vehling and Michael Hunt's Pepsi-Cola Collectibles (L-W Book Sales: 1986), the first price guide exclusively devoted to this collecting area. The reason that I cannot help you further is that you did not supply enough detailed information to allow me to specifically identify your thermometer.

Vehling and Hunt list 10 Pepsi-Cola thermometers that are 27 inches in length. Nine of the 10 fall in the $15 to $75 range. A tin, lithographed thermometer containing the face of a young lady (at the top) drinking Pepsi- Cola from a bottle (the source of the mercury) through a straw (the thermometer) lists for $225. The slogan reads: "WEATHER COLD OR WEATHER HOT * PEPSI-COLA HITS THE SPOT." The second edition of Warman's Americana & Collectibles values the same thermometer at $125.

Assuming you do have one of the original 1930's Pepsi-Cola thermometers, I think you will be hard pressed to get $225 for it. Only the very specialized collectors will pay this price, and only if the piece is in near mint condition. You can find these advanced collectors by joining the Pepsi-Cola Collectors Club (P.O. Box 1275, Corvina, CA 91722) and advertising in its

Q - My wife and her aunt, who lives in California, are assembling a collection of eyewash cups. Our problem is that we have been unable to find any catalogs or literature on the subject. Can you help us? - I&KN, Stephens City, VA

A - Most general antiques and collectibles price guides contain from two to 10 listings of eyewash cups in the "Medical" category. The most detailed information that I found was in Don Fredgant's Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Collectibles: An Identification And Value Guide (Books Americana: 1981). Unfortunately, Fredgant limits hisinformation to a detailed description of each eyewash cup.

It is time for you to do some homework. Fredgant lists several medical and pharmaceutical museums in Virginia, among which are the Stabler-Leadbetter Apothecary in Alexandria, the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop in Fredericksburg, the Roy Apothecary at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, and the Spotsylvania Historical Association in Spotsylvania. Visit them and talk with their curators. Perhaps they have reference books in their libraries that deal with eyewash cups.

You might also contact the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy (Pharmacy Building, 425 North Chatter Street, Madison, WI 53706) which publishes Pharmacy in History, a quarterly journal that regularly includes items about pharmaceutical collectibles. The annual subscription is $25.

Several manufacturers still make eyewash cups. Write a letter to their public relations department asking for historical information.

Q - I have two World War I Liberty loan posters. One features a soldier sitting behind a machine gun with "Ammunition!" across the top and "And remember - / Bonds buy Bullets!" across the bottom and dated 1918 at the bottom. The artist is Vincent Lynel (?). The second has a soldier holding an American flag unfurled behind him, across the top is "OVER THE TOP / FOR YOU," and across the bottom is "Buy U.S. Gov't Bonds / THIRTY LIBERTY LOAN." The artist is Sidney H. Riesenberg. Please provide what information you can about the value and rarity of these posters. - RG, Lansford, PA

A - While World War I Liberty loan posters are becoming more and more difficult to find, it would not be fair to call them rare. In fact, they still remain readily available to collectors. Liberty loan posters wereproduced in large quantities. For example, 10 million posters were made for the Fourth Liberty Loan.

While there are several factors that effect the price of a World War I poster, condition is one of the most important. Posters that have strong folds and creases, faded color, or damage drop in price rapidly.

Determining the value of your posters presents some difficulty. The same poster often came in more than one size. Your Sidney Riesenberg poster was available as a half sheet, not greater than 23" by 32" and not less than 18" by 24", and as a one sheet, not greater than 32" by 48" and not less than 23" x 32".

Whenever I have a question about posters, I contact George Theofiles who trades as the Miscellaneous Man (Box 1776, New Freedom, PA 17348). His latest poster catalog offers Riesenberg's "OVER THE TOP FOR YOU," 20" x 30", for $75. A review of the other World War I Liberty Loan posters in Theofile's catalog shows the vast majority selling in the $50 to $75 range. This was confirmed by the offerings in R. Niel & Elaine Reynolds's Poster Mail Auction (Box 133, Waterford, VA 22190).